it's affecting america today. well, even santa claus is upset. santa claus showed up on capitol hill wednesday, urging congress and the white house to strike a deal to avoid the looming fiscal cliff before christmas. >> it's discouraging that our elected leadership in congress can't come together to get the job done for the american people. >> reporter: both sides say it's putting a damper on the holidays. >> i think it's going to be extremely difficult to get it done before christmas. ? . >> in anticipation, there is no agreement. congressional leaders told lawmakers not to make holiday travel plans. >> we're going to stay here right up until christmas eve, throughout the time and period before the new year because we want to make sure that we resolve this in an acceptable way for the american people. >> president obama and house speaker john boehner continue to talk. >> but we've got serious differences. >> those differences are already affecting americans. fed chairman ben bernanke says just the threat of the fiscal cliff is dragging down the